THE TRUTH ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA: Mitt Romney Just Emceed A Happy Marriage Rally

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Mitt
Romney is playing the 'family man' card today, in a veiled
attempt to exploit rival Newt Gingrich's biggest weakness on the
eve of South Carolina's all-important Republican primary.

Marital bliss was clearly the theme at a rally here in North
Charleston this afternoon, where Mitt Romney and his wife Ann
took the stage with two other happily married gubernatorial
couples.

South Carolina Governor Nikki
Haley kicked off the lovefest in her intro speech,
introducing her husband Michael, an officer in the Army National
Guard, as the "coolest First Man Ever," and noting how proud she
is of his military service.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of his service," she said. "I
love watching him walk out that door in his military uniform."

When Romney took the stage, he wasted no time before jumping how
he met and courted his high-school sweetheart, now wife, Ann
Romney — a story he has gotten into the habit of telling at
campaign stops ever since Gingrich's second wife's salacious
interview with ABC News
yesterday. Mrs. Romney fwith warm remarks about her husband's
devotion to her and their five sons, and about her confidence
that he can "save America."

Virginia Gov. Bob
McDonnell — a new addition to the Romney crew — also took the
stage, praising Ann Romney as the candidate's "greatest asset"
and introducing his own wife of more than 30 years.

McDonnell went on to put in his plug for Romney, but he never
strayed far from the family theme:

"Character counts and values matter," McDonnell told the crowd of
supporters. "Mitt Romney would run the finances of this country
like it was his own family's money."

For a grand finale, the three couples led the audience in an
off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday" and presented a cake to
Gov. Haley to celebrate her 40th birthday.

"All I want for my birthday is President Mitt Romney," Haley
teased.

Although no one mentioned Gingrich or his adulterous past, the
implications were clear: Romney is an even-keeled, loyal family
man who, unlike Gingrich, has no history of betrayal. And he will
take care of America like he has taken care of his wife and
children.

It may be too late to influence South Carolina voters, it is a
useful contrast that could help Romney should the race come down
to him and Newt. Gingrich's marital misdeeds aren't going to go
away, so if Romney can nail down the family man message — and tie
it in to his businessman-conservative bonafides — he might be
able to make an impact on other voters down the line.